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Over the last three years, efforts led by parents and community activists in three Long Island school districts, Wantagh, Plainedge and Patchogue-Medford, raised more than half a million dollars each to restore some or all of the programs cut after the districts were forced to adopt contingency budgets. Wantagh’s efforts came after the district’s budget was defeated twice last year."

Thursday, February 26, 2009

t's give-back time. We, the staff of Forbes magazine and Forbes.com, have collectively decided to use our media juice for some great people and causes. Specifically, we're tapping the shoulders of extremely busy people we admire, and offering them the chance to make a multimedia pitch directly to you, our audience, in their own voice and on behalf of the philanthropic cause closest to their heart. We have promised, in return for their time and effort, to promote their cause on Forbes.com."

A Judge with the Surrogate’s Court, in New York, has ruled that the trustees of the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust do not have to limit the distribution of money to charities focused on the care and welfare of dogs."

ELLSWORTH — After two months on the job as president and chief executive officer of the Maine Community Foundation, Meredith Jones is optimistic about the future of Maine’s economy.

“This is a state that has such promise because, unlike a lot of states, the people here care deeply,” she said. “We’re proud of our heritage, our abundant natural resources and our strong philanthropic giving.

“It’s a message of optimism. We’ve all seen the ups and the downs, but I think our future and our promise is bright.”"

Mobile fundraising is taking off -- or so hopes the nonprofits looking for a new channel for people to give on the spot with a quick text message.

According to CTIA, the international association for wireless telecommunications, there are 270 million mobile subscribers in the United States, most with the ability to send text messages. Once considered a purview of the young, mobile subscribers between 35 and 54 are increasing their text messaging, according to ratings firm Nielsen. In 2007, just 37 percent regularly sent text-messages. It was up to 59 percent in 2008."

The world certainly feels topsy-turvy right now. Each day seems to bring new challenges to the economy...and new financial challenges for nonprofits. Your donations may be diminishing. Government funding may be declining. Membership may be falling. Sales may be receding. Any of these developments can challenge the financial stability of a nonprofit. Even organizations with healthy reserves are likely impacted by the turmoil in the financial markets, with investments taking a punch."

montgomeryadvertiser.com :: Despite economy, Relay For Life needs our help: "Relay For Life, the annual fundraiser for cancer research, involves numerous commu­nity volunteers in all our local cities and towns and is a cause many people hold near to their hearts. The reason is clear: Cancer has touched most every American family at some point, sometimes multiple times and of­ten with disastrous results.

Therefore, if you have time to spare, con­sider volunteering for Relay For Life this year. If you have money still allocated to charitable giving, Relay is a good place for that money to go."

Kaitlin, who is this year's New Jersey representative for the Children's Miracle Network charity, was joined by hundreds of other IHOP patrons taking advantage of free flapjacks as the part of the restaurant chain's National Pancake Day promotion."

Google Chief for Charity Steps Down on Revamp - NYTimes.com: "AN FRANCISCO — Larry Brilliant, the executive director of Google.org, said late Monday that he would step down from managing Google’s philanthropic unit and signaled that Google.org might curtail its financing of nonprofit groups unless they are closely aligned with Google projects."

Official Google Blog: The next chapter for Google.org: "Now, three years after Google.org was founded, we've been reviewing our progress, and how best to take things forward. It's clear that I am most effective in helping to identify 'big ideas' and potential partners, as well as raising awareness about society's biggest challenges. I am therefore very excited to become Google's Chief Philanthropy Evangelist. I think this is the highest contribution that I can make both to Google.org and to fighting the urgent threats of our day: from climate change to emerging infectious diseases, to issues of poverty and health care. By focusing my energy outwards I hope to be able to spend more time motivating policy makers, encouraging public and private partnerships, and generally advocating for the changes that we must make as a global society to solve these problems. Long-time Googler Megan Smith will take over day-to-day management of Google.org, joining as General Manager to lead us through this transition, in addition to her existing role as Vice President of New Business Development."

This weekend, well over 2,000 students at UCLA and USC pulled all-nighters -- not studying, but dancing in two dance marathons that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Elizabeth Glaser Foundation/Project Kindle/One Heartland (UCLA) and the Children's Miracle Network (USC)."

Hardest hit in terms of demand are the human welfare organizations that provide food, housing, clothing and other basic services to individuals and families in crisis. Nonprofits that provide job counseling have lines around the block, and agencies that help victims of domestic violence and child abuse are bracing for the rise in distress that always accompanies an economic recession."

Celebrating corporate philanthropy - The Denver Post: "Today I will join together with other business leaders to celebrate International Corporate Philanthropy Day, building awareness of corporate-community partnerships and encouraging businesses around the world to engage further in philanthropy. At Western Union, we know the importance of this mission, particularly during these difficult times."

During this economic downturn, nonprofit organizations are likely to struggle with fewer resources. Guest columnist Kathy Porterfield suggests that business people can engage more with nonprofit agencies to help them weather the challenges.

By Kathy Porterfield

Special to the Times

THE financial storm that has battered the business sector now threatens the nonprofit community as well. But if early signs are any indication, Seattle is answering the challenge.

The Seattle Times notes that donations reached $668,208 for its Fund for The Needy campaign, surpassing the goal of $525,000. This speaks to Seattle's heart, showing that even in the depths of an economic crisis, we remain committed to helping those in need."